The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-17
THE EXTRA SESSION

lHE La Ina zOEDOlUN.
CONFUSED COUNsEL-:sENATOR KOINER
WANTS TO RESIGN FROM THE FINANCE
CoMMITTEE-THE GOVERNORS MES
SAGE-ITS SUGGESTIONS, &C.
Especial to the v1RGINIAN.]
RICHMOND, VA, March 10th.
Mr.. Flanagan celebrated inquiry,
'swhat are we here for?'' was repeated over
again last night and this a. NJ, as members
of the Legislature grasped each others
hands at the gathering of the clans for the
extra session. No one seems authorized to
answer. Democrats are anything but en-
thusiastic oyer prospective results to flow
from the Governors call, while the only
anxiety of Republicans is to know what
new disaster will be thrust upon Virginia
by the Legislature, whose capacity seems
limited to mischief making, that the future
holds in store.
A day of reckoning is reflection that
has at length taken possession Of the Dem
ocratic mind. It is written IN the anxious
faces of the party leaders who are begin.
ming to realize that the patience of long
suffering people hath an end. Gladly
would they shift the responsibility gladly
would they yield supremacy no q, if by that
act they could lay down the burden of their
two years. work. and avert the wrath that
gathers threateningly about them. They
have sown to the wind and the harvest is
ripe. This feeling was shown this morning
when Senator Koiner asker permission TO
resign the Craftsmanship of the Finance
Committee. He stated that he no longer
feIt that he could hold the position,
as his views did not coincide with those
of majority of his colleagues He had
been reared to believe it was right TO
pay honest debts. but as that idta had been
opposed to the prevailing policy and plan
he thought it proper to retire and let the
position be filled by some one more in
sympathy with the general views of the
Legislature.
General Wickham objected to receiving
the resignation, and stated so far from
there being any recognized policy, speakir 6
for himself, he had no plan to suggest nor
did he know of any member who had. Mr..
Koner replied that he referred to the
past, not the prospective action. Objec-
ton was made by several others and Mr.,
Koner's request was declined with thanks
The Governor S message reviews the
debt legislation and concludes that the
Riddlebrger settlement is the ultimatum
It declares that the p; ohibition of the
federal constitution in regard to impair
ment contracts cannot be evaded By nul
), lifyiGg provisions OF q state constitution.
and then later on warns the bond holders
of the danger of arousing public senti
, ment which might be forgetful of al
, sense of justice, and taking counsel only
!, from passion, destroy the interests we are
now striving to protect. The Governor
, recommends the adoption Of the plar
known as the Irvine Bill. 1t provides
!, that unyerifed coupons shall not be re-
ceived, and that suits be entered in the
SSate.oourts againstithe parties standing.or
coupon tenders and that judgments be
recorded against them no execution shall
, issue except by direction Of State Auditor
and judgments shall bear interest and BIZ
a continuing lien upon property of defend
:, ant. The message calls attention to the
decision of the U. S. Supreme Court in the
+ drummers' license cases, and to the neceS
sity OF protecting the state merehantg from
, unjust Discrimination. resolutions Of
9 the bondholders are submitted. in which
they assert steadfast determination not
. to accept the Hidd lehergeF settlement, hui
express a willingness to meet the Stat
q and entertain q reasonable compromise
based upon present taxation and available
a revenues, after providing for constitutions
appropriations for government, schools
. and other public expenditures. In response
3 the Governor suggests the appointment 81
+ a commission with power only to lay pafors
, the creditors the States condition, etc
! | i'll olner WORDS, repetition Of The FARCE
> of two years ago, when the bondbodeYi
. were invited to conference in one breath
and boycotted as outlaws in the next.
Other subjects treated of in the message
y pertain to the new code, additional sceom
> mediation for the insane, etp. The docu
a ment suggests nothing new or practicable
, The recommendations to harrass the cou-
+ pom holders with litigation. will form but
another link in the seemingly endless
chain Of eVasiye measures which must
! finally result in naught but vexation ani
costs to the State, prolonging her trouble
the blemishing of her name, and the con
e tinuance of a barrier to her progress ant
! prosperity. l have talked with number
: Of representatives of both parties, and not
one of them has any real faith in the eff
cacy Of the proposed measure. All seen
] completely at sea, and the ending, like The
beginning, promises to be the unsolved
conundrum What are we here for ?"
Y